As a continuation in the series - the following is a fictional letter, but one that Recruiters really would like to send back to applicants if they could afford to give actual, honest feedback.

Dear Hopeful Applicant,

Thanks again for applying to this position.  I’m pleased to see potential candidates responding to the posting and I like to read through each and every one – yours included.  I was also very happy that you included a cover note and I can tell you put some thought into it.  That’s great!

But here’s the thing – your note, while absolutely technically correct, feels a bit formal.  To be more specific, based on this cover letter this is how I would imagine a conversation with you:

Co-worker:     “Hey H.A.!  How are you doing?”

H.Applicant:  “Good, thanks.  I’m particularly excited to enact my exceptional interpersonal skills and top-notch time management talents today.  Nonetheless, I am hoping you also experience excellent organizational proficiencies.  See you at the meeting!”

If this is really how you communicate with people then I stand corrected.

However, I’m assuming that your communication skills in person would still be professional, but reflect a more personal tone.  And as a Recruiter that reads hundreds, thousands, (millions?) of cover letters they tend to blur together when they are written in an excessively ‘formal’ tone.  That’s a shame because I can tell you put time, care and attention into writing it.  I just feel like I’m not hearing the “real you”.

So to get noticed (which is sort of the point of this isn’t it??) I recommend you write a note that sounds a lot more like you talking to me (as a normal, regular person).  Yes I want to see proper spelling, punctuation, etc., but I feel confident you can do both.  Trust me – you are much more likely to get plucked out from the crowd this way.

Yours with my deepest gratitude and warmest wishes on this outstanding, but functionally professional day.  (Ha!  Just having some fun with you….)

Sincerely,

Helpful Recruiter